Welcome to Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers Inc. (“Dupuis”)! By bidding in this auction, you accept our ‘Terms and Conditions of Sale,’ outlining our limited warranty and the details surrounding the auction process.
1. Bidder Registration
Prospective bidders are required to pre-register. If you’re a new bidder, you may be requested to provide a government-issued photo ID to complete your registration process. Registrants are responsible for payment of purchases from all successful bids.
2. Timed Auction
Bidding takes place online, spanning several days until the final day when each lot has a planned closing time. If a bid is submitted within 10 minutes of a lot’s planned closure, its closing time extends and resets for an additional 10 minutes, ensuring a fair bidding process.
3. Sale Currency
Bidding is in Canadian Dollars. However, as a convenience to international purchasers, Dupuis provides estimates in other currencies. Prospective purchasers are responsible for independently ascertaining their respective currencies’ exchange rates.
4. Lot Descriptions
Our description of any lot in the catalogue, any condition report and any other statement made by us (whether orally or in writing) about any lot, including its nature or condition, age, materials or provenance, are our opinion and not be relied upon as a statement of fact. Colours and shades of gems and materials may look different on screen than on physical inspection. We do not provide any guarantee concerning the nature of a lot apart from our authenticity warranty contained in paragraph clause 9 below.
5. Estimates
The estimate below each description is the opinion of our specialists. Where possible, these are based on considering the results of similar items at past auctions. Estimates are not definitive and should not be relied upon as representations or predictions of selling prices.
6. Pre-Auction Viewing
We hold a Preview to facilitate your inspection of lots with appropriate lighting and staff to assist. In addition to catalogue descriptions, technical details are available as Condition Reports. Prospective purchasers must inspect each lot they intend to bid on and rely on their judgment or that of independent advisers.
7. Condition Reports
Condition reports are provided to our prospective purchasers as a convenience and are for guidance only. They offer our opinion but may not refer to all faults or inherent defects. Therefore, you are responsible for ensuring that you have requested, received and considered any condition report and examining a lot in person.
8. Authenticity Certification
Some designers, jewellers, or manufacturers may not issue certificates or documents of authenticity upon request. Unless indicated in the catalogue, Dupuis is not required to provide a certificate or record of authenticity from a designer, jeweller, or manufacturer. The failure to issue such a certificate or document will not constitute grounds to rescind the sale, and Dupuis will not be liable for expenses, costs, losses or liabilities.
9. Limited Warranty
Within 21 days of purchase, if a buyer informs Dupuis of a misrepresented lot and returns it in original condition, we may cancel the sale and refund the purchase price upon expert agreement. Claims must be submitted in writing with evidence within 21 days. We may require two agreed-upon expert opinions on inauthenticity and, if uncertain, seek further opinions at our cost, requiring the lot’s return at buyer’s expense. The sole remedy is sale cancellation and refund, excluding liability for additional losses or expenses.
10. Watches
We recommend that prospective purchasers view all watches personally to assess their condition. Most timepieces have been repaired in the ordinary course of wearing and may contain replacement parts. Watch cases and bracelets may include after-market diamonds. All watches are sold “AS IS”.
11. Gemstone Treatments
Please be advised that coloured gemstones and diamonds may be enhanced by various means to improve their appearance. Specific treatments are standard practices within the jewellery industry. For example, heating coloured gemstones is an accepted enhancement method and is generally considered permanent under stable circumstances. Methods of enhancement used on various gemstones include dyeing, laser drilling, irradiating, bleaching, oiling, filling, coating, faceting and polishing. Unless the catalogue description explicitly states that the gemstone is of natural colour or clarity, prospective bidders should assume that some treatment may have been used and the enhancement may not be permanent.
12. Buyer’s Premium
Each lot is subject to a buyer’s premium of 25%. The total purchase price is the agregate of the bid price plus the buyer’s premium.
13. Taxes (HST)
Purchasers must pay Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on the total purchase price unless exempted by law. This tax does not apply to purchases shipped outside Canada.
14. Payment Policies & Deadlines
Purchases are due and payable in full within five (5) business days after the auction. A 2% surcharge is applicable on overdue payments. In the event of failure to pay within the period mentioned above, Dupuis, without limitation of the consignor’s rights against the purchaser, may resell the lot(s). In such case, the original purchaser will be held responsible to Dupuis and the consignor for any deficiency in price, collection costs and overdue payment fees.
15. Payment Methods
Payment may be made by Interac e-Transfer (payments@dupuis.ca), certified cheque, or bank draft. Cash payment is limited to amounts below $10,000. Payment by credit card may be accepted in person to a maximum of $50,000.
Bank Information for Wire Transfer
Currency: Canadian Dollars *
Account Name: Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers Inc.
Account Number: 001-07600-1257663
Beneficiary Bank: Bank of Montreal (BMO)
Swift Code: BOFMCAM2
Bank Address: 2601 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3H2 Canada
* Payments in U.S. Dollars are subject to the exchange rate provided by Dupuis, upon request, on the date of payment.
16. Purchase Pickup
The schedule for clearance of purchases at Dupuis’ offices at 900-1200 Bay Street, is from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the five business days following the auction.
17. Shipping Services
After full payment, we can arrange to have the property packaged and shipped per your written instructions as a convenience to purchasers. The costs for insured shipments vary depending on the destination. All items are carefully packaged; however, Dupuis is not responsible for any loss or damage once shipped.
18. Custom Regulations
It is the responsibility of prospective purchasers to check with their government regarding any import restrictions. Some examples are as follows:
– endangered materials such as ivory, tortoiseshell and coral
– some watch brands imported into the U.S. and other countries
There is no duty on jewellery manufactured in North America when shipped to U.S. or Mexico.
